Undeniably the most steampunk-like sea animal, RJ-Romain Jerome is dedicating its latest collection to the octopus, a fascinating marine creature from the collective imagination.
Found in the depths of the ocean, the octopus is often portrayed as a sea monster whether in the Scandinavian mythology with the Kraken or in the 19th century literature with Jules Verneand Victor Hugo; the latter whom invented the word “pieuvre”, French translation of octopus,in his 1866 novel “Les travailleurs de la mer” (Toilers of the Sea ).
With this 25-piece limited edition, the Swiss watch making Maison introduces a truly marine and highly crafted timepiece, the Deep Blue Octopus, incorporating all characteristics and aesthetical features of the animal with a meticulous care devoted to each detail.
Evolving in the bottom of the sea, the new Deep Blue Octopus sports an all-black stealth look to echo the darkness of the ocean. The 47mm case with all elements in black PVD-coated steel, reproduces the bilateral symmetry typical of the octopus, with the two crowns at 3 and 9 o’clock.The new model is equipped with an exclusive internal unidirectional rotating sapphire bezel featuring engraved five minute graduation and a luminescent time indicator at 12h, which is activated by the 3 o’clock crown for the elapsed time controller while the 9 o’clock crown sets the time.
Considering the Octopus as an emblem of the sea, the cephalopod is omnipresent and can be admired from all angles: sitting at the center of the dial, hiding on the case back or on the 3 o’clockcrown. Hidden as well, the inside of the integrated black vulcanized rubber strap reveals suction cups as if the strap was one of the octopus’ leg.
The timepiece has also been built around the number eight to recall the 8 legs of the Octopus:there are 8 head screws on the case, 8 screws holding the case back as well as 8 rivetson each crown. And finally, the Deep Blue Octopus is water resistant down to 888 feet to explore the seabed.
The dial, like the ocean floor, is textured thanks to the reproduction of a sea urchin skeleton. The plate has been machined-worked and rhodium-coated for more resistance and brilliance then covered with a transparent blue resin to mimic the blue color of the ocean. With his ability to hide at night, the octopus disappears to let the luminescence shine through the inserts in the sea urchin cavities which have been individually hand-filled.
To finish off this Octopus infused timepiece, the bezel is a reminder that this collection rightly belongs to RJ’s SEA universe. The black PVD-coated steel notched bezel contains oxidized and stabilized steel from the Titanic, another maritime giant.
